Principal Optical Engineer – Quantum Systems, Equity

Atom Computing; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 160,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Unlimited PTO

401K matching

Disability insurance

FSA

Dependent care benefits

Life insurance

Drinks, snacks, team lunches

Job summary

Atom Computing seeks a Principal Optical Engineer to lead advanced optical design and assembly for next‑generation neutral atom quantum computers at our Boulder, CO facility. On-site 4–5 days/week, you will shape optical architectures, set standards, and mentor the team.

You will collaborate with physicists and vendors, drive design reviews, and contribute to IP creation while tackling high‑power laser systems and complex imaging networks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Sciences, Optical Engineering or related field.

Responsibilities

• Initiate and lead the design and specification of complex, next-generation optical systems and subsystems from the component level up to the system level.
• Collaborate with technical leaders across engineering domains to understand key product use cases to inform next generation hardware development lifecycle.
• Work with physicists and subject matter experts to develop requirements and system architecture for optical assemblies, subsystems, and modules to support next generation neutral atom computers.
• Establish and enforce best practices for optical design, performing critical design reviews, detailed tolerance analysis, and advanced stray light modeling to ensure suitability of design solutions.
• Define and standardize precision alignment procedures for all optical designs and subsystems, ensuring robust and repeatable assembly.
• Provide high-level leadership and oversight for hands-on assembly and precision alignment of finalized optical designs.
• Mentor junior team members and generate internal training documents and procedures.
• Contribute as a subject matter expert to technical writing, grant proposals, and presentations.
• Generate new intellectual property and inventions.
• Develop complex optical components and devices with external vendors including managing the design process and defining deliverables.
• External speaking and/or customer engagements.
• Troubleshoot technical issues at Atom and off-site customer facilities.
• Capable of lifting and moving objects that weigh up to 25 pounds.

Skills

Optical design

Leadership

Ray tracing

Zemax

FRED

STOP analysis

3D CAD

Free-space optics

Fiber optics

High power lasers

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Optical Sciences or Optical Engineering

Tools

Zemax

FRED

Onshape

SolidWorks

Job description

Atom Computing seeks a Principal Optical Engineer to lead advanced optical design and assembly for next‑generation neutral atom quantum computers at our Boulder, CO facility. On-site 4–5 days/week, you will shape optical architectures, set standards, and mentor the team.

You will collaborate with physicists and vendors, drive design reviews, and contribute to IP creation while tackling high‑power laser systems and complex imaging networks.